NSW allows untrained roadside assistants

NRMA promises roadside patrols will still be qualified mechanics

Roadside patrols no longer need to be qualified as motor mechanics in NSW. Photo: Andrew Meares

It's a summer scene common across the Australian landscape.

The sun beats down on a family car that shudders to a halt. A quick call to roadside assistance should have an expert rush out to diagnose the problem, getting the holiday back on track.

But that could change from December 1 under legislative changes that allow untrained road patrols to inspect and repair vehicles.

The NRMA has promised that roadside assistance staff will continue to be fully qualified. Photo: Jay Cronan

Under the new Motor Dealers and Repairers Act which comes into effect in NSW on December 1, roadside assistance providers do not need to hold a current tradesperson's certificate as a qualified motor mechanic.

A Fair Trading spokeswoman says emergency assistance organisations including NRMA Emergency Roadside Assistance are "listed as exemptions" in the act.

A spokeswoman for NRMA Motoring and Services says all roadside assist employees are currently required to be trade qualified and that the NRMA "has no intention of changing staff training requirements" as a result of legislative changes.

"The NRMA will always ensure every patrol it sends into the field is suitably qualified to meet the needs of our members," she says.

"In metropolitan and major regional areas, NRMA roadside assist employees will be required to have formal trade qualifications."

The NRMA spokeswoman says it will work with TAFE to train staff in remote areas "where it can be difficult to find suitably qualified mechanics".

Other changes require qualified mechanics, panel beaters, transmission specialists and nine other automotive professions to pay $45 to renew their tradesperson certificate every three years.

Previously, tradesperson certificates have not had an expiry date.

The first batch of renewals starts in 2015 with people who received their qualifications between 1980 and 1987, followed by mechanics qualified between 1988 and 2009 in 2016.

Tradesperson certificates granted between 2009 and 2014 will not need to be renewed until 2017.

But RMS roadworthy inspectors who carry out pink slip examinations and other inspections do not need to renew their tradespersons certificate if they are not also working as a mechanic.

Instead, they must take separate courses through TAFE NSW that involve between six and 24 hours of formal training in addition to prior training as a fully qualified mechanic.

The NSW Government has also listed the installation or replacement of accessories such as wheels, wiper blades, light globes, sound systems and ute linings as exempt and no longer covered by the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act.

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The size of your tyre is located on the sidewall of your tyre.It will be similar to the sample below.